Korra Ep. 3 Review

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Just humble bounty hunters, ma'am.


As always SPOILERS!

:bulletred: PREVIOUS EPISODE REVIEWS:
Ep. 1+2: "Welcome to Republic City" and "Leaf in The Wind"



LEGEND OF KORRA, EPISODE 3: "THE REVELATION"

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Straight on to Episode 3 and "The Revelation" already waste no time revealing a new plot that can dramatically affect future episodes. Short and simple, Amon can take away Bending permanently through Energybending. There's a lot of fan theories running around on this particular nature (and Amon in general) - both straight and symbolic - the biggest and ironic being how a non-Bender like him manage to take away someone's Bending when the previous person we saw pull the same happens to be the Ultimate Bender: the Avatar. Then there are the ones who actually say it's not really Energybending, saying he uses a slightly different technique (someone even made a chart comparing this). There are theories of him secretly being a Bender, that he met Koh the Face Stealer, and so on and on and on. Oddly I haven't really joined the bandwagon. Maybe I just want it to unfold naturally? I don't know. The only theory I am supporting so far is that the day Amon is revealed, he will not be connected or related to a cast member. Like Korra, I want Amon to be his own person. Other than that, I have nothing much to say to him. The dude is threatening; able to go toe-to-toe against Benders and proving he's a bigger threat than just a mere protestor when he shows off his "revelation." What better than taking away the bending abilities of a gang leader? To strip the intimidation out of a leader, take away what makes them the most powerful. I got chills when Lightning Bolt Zolt's Firebending disintegrated. I love the way they did it - powerful cool lightning to simpering fiery blaze until it dwindles to nothing. It's one of those things you honestly have to see it to believe.

I also hope Amon won't just be straightforward evil as Ozai. He has good motivations and Freudian Excuse for his Anti-Bending group. Ozai attempted world conquest because he's just the Big Bad (well, okay, he has the legacy of his grandfather to live up to). I'm not necessary asking for Amon to redeem and see the error of his ways - though an extremist group such as this is bound to fall apart in someway - I just want a more gray aspect to his character.

The episode actually starts off a bit slow, but it picks up very fast and even then, the slow moments are good character studies. From simple moments of Korra roughly chucking the ball to Mako after he made a quip to the Ikki and Jinora teasing Korra's love interest to Bolin and Pabu's comedy, they're all bursting with personality. The biggest is how the brothers try to obtain the 30,000 yuans. The eldest seek out legitimate jobs to get the moolah. Meanwhile, the less serious brother Bolin (reluctantly) takes on a job for Shady Shin. If you can't figure out that it falls under the "Not So Good" category, clearly you have a different definition of "shady". I didn't mention this in the previous review, but I simply adore Bolin's voice actor. It's so perfect. It's the right kind of lighthearted enthusiasm and jovial nature that fits beautifully with his humorous role. He's essentially the Sokka of the group, only with less snark. In fact, a lot of praise must be given to the three main teens because they aren't carbon copies of Gaang. Korra is a major contrast of Aang, really only sharing his energy (and even than, it's befitting for her age as it did for Aang's). I already mentioned Bolin. Mako is the closest to fitting the Zuko role, but he doesn't have as much angst. He has his own dilemmas and issues, but he doesn't suffer huge bouts of rage and obsessive drive that blinds his judgment and clarity on what his true destiny is. Mako is clear on what he wants: survive and protect his younger brother. He's not the angry type; he's "cool under fire". That also points to the interesting aspect that even their Bendings do not necessary reflect their personalities like the original series did. Bolin is not tough-faced or confrontational as Earthbending usually is, Korra came from the Water Tribe and most would likely associate her with Waterbending, but she's quick to anger (like fire) and physically takes control when provoked (earth). It's a neat way of emphasizing the mixed Nations.

Parallels and contrasts seem to be a big thing in the show. There's a general Old vs. New theme. The second episode explored this aspect with Tenzin's method of training that has been passed down for generations vs. Korra's Pro-Bending, an aspect of the new. Here's the interesting thing; Amon asks for a new change, a new revelation where Benders will no longer threaten the people, but the technique he uses is old - the oldest form of Bending (if that is truly Energybending he is pulling). The biggest parallel is Amon and Mako's background. Both ended up the way they did because of a bullying Firebender. In Amon's case, he took it severely and formed the Equalist. The eerie thing is, he has a big justification. There are Benders who use their abilities to push people around. The first episode is a good one, but an even better example is when Korra tried to pry information out of that loud protestor. She violently slaps his microphone, Earthbends his table, and lifts him up to intimidate him. In reverse, Mako doesn't let this consume him. I'm sure he's haunted by it and I wonder if there was a time when he looks at his own Firebending and saw it's the same thing that killed his parents, but unlike Amon, it doesn't completely overtake his mind. Bending itself isn't the cause of his pain; it's the wielder that is. Yes, it's a very bad thing - a very sad thing - and this is likely a nightmare that will never go away, but his current plan is to protect his sibling and live. Simple as that. It hurts, but he doesn't look the type to seek out vengeance and that continues to emphasize his "cool" trait.

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I suppose the only thing that really sticks out is the romance between Mako and Korra. The sleep cute moment, the denials - it's the closest the show has gotten to really being predictable that it jumps to cliche. Despite it, my current feeling is general neutrality. It's there, it does what it does, it doesn't overtake the show nor is it underrepresented. It does its job, nothing more. I think the only thing I can really say about it is that I'm at least convinced that these two crazy kids have a likely shot of getting together by end than I felt on Katara and Aang's romance. In that case, Aang fell for Katara when he wakes up from his 100-year sleep, but Katara spends most of Season Two loving him as a friend. There are a couple of moments that hint their eventual union (mostly "The Fortuneteller" and "Cave of Two Lovers"), but it's still jarring when she grew envious watching Aang dance with a girl in "The Headband". Also, it would be more interesting if the two got together in the middle of the show then at the tell end, but I think that's wishful thinking on my part. Nothing I'm hovering over. So, um, yeah, okay, go Mako/Korra. *shrugs*

Quick points must be made to the amazing combat choreographer. Avatar: The Last Airbender has never skimped on the battles and the same holds true for its sequel; the fight scenes are amazing. The best one is during the middle when Mako and Korra takes on the Equalists. The camera pans around in circular format as the two bust heads. It's quick enough that you feel the intensity, but clear that you can still make out who is doing what.
:star::star::star::star: OUT OF FIVE


BONUS OBSERVATION

BEST. RECAP. EVER! The "Previously On" recap narrative is voiced by Jeff Bennett in his best 1920s radio announcer while the episodes themselves are presented in old-timey film reel. That is so completely beyond awesome that it exploded into Super-Awesome.

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PABU: I WANT ONE. I WANT TEN. ADORABLE.

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ZUKO: Did you see the statue of him? ;)

HEAR ME ROAR: When Naga roars at the Equalist, Pabu does the same. It's adorable. I WANT ONE. I WANT TEN!

FASHIONATA: When Mako and Korra are in disguise, the latter is wearing his scarf. Also, I love their outfits.

YA MISSED ONE: There are four captured Benders during the rally (counting Bolin) after Lightning Bolt Zolt. Starting from left to right, they skip the first guy and head straight for Shady Shin and go from there. What's up with that?

WHERE'S WALDO: According to TVTropes, there is a random NPC wearing a yellow suit and a hat with a red puffball who almost always pops out in crowd scenes. I haven't spotted him yet, but I will now!

BEST LINE: "The morning is evil." Truer words have never been spoken. Preach on, sista, preach on.

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Chess Piece (A Danny Phantom Fancomic):
An AU Danny Phantom comic. It's been canceled, but for those morbidly curious to read this convoluted train wreck, the link is here.

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moonlitinuyasha1985's avatar
The morning truly is evil. *sees the dawn, hisses at it, and hides under the covers*